With less than two weeks until the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship, preparations are at what tournament organizers call a “climax.”
Tournament flagpole banners were placed across Utica on Monday to welcome players and officials from the 10 participating teams, as well as fans attending the upcoming event.
Officials said the Oneida County-sponsored banners will be gradually installed along Oriskany and Genesee Streets from the Thruway to the Adirondack Bank Center, where all 29 games will be played.
“The moment we've all been waiting for is just around the corner, and we can feel the anticipation building throughout our city and throughout Oneida County,” Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. said in a statement. Probably.'' “Today, we take another step in the excitement by hanging banners across the city and rolling out welcome mats for players, officials and fans around the world.”
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This event marks the fifth time the tournament has been held in the United States, with the last one being held in 2017 in Plymouth, Michigan. Other host cities include Lake Placid, New York (1994), Minneapolis, Minnesota (2001), and Burlington, Vermont (2012).
An estimated 60,000 fans will watch and attend the 2024 IIHF Women's World Championship, according to a statement.
Michael Rehr, director of marketing for the Utica Comets, said the building only has 4,000 seats and three games are already sold out. Lehr said tickets are still available for the other qualifying matches, quarterfinals and semifinals.
Fans can purchase tickets online or in person at the Adirondack Bank Center box office, which is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
